UN council renews mandate of peace mission in Nepal

( dpa ) - The UN Security Council on Wednesday gave its mission in Nepal another six months to assist the troubled government and political parties there to implement their ceasefire agreements.

The Nepalese government had requested a 24-month extension of the small mission, but the 15-nation council gave only six months, with July 23 as the expiration date.

The UN Mission in Nepal (UNMIN) was established last year at the request of the government and the Maoist Communist Party to help the peace process that ended decades of conflict and monitor the ceasefire, management of arms and personnel of the Nepalese army and Maoists. The mission's mandate also includes provisions for supporting the democratic process in the Himalayan kingdom.

The council said in a resolution that it supports the comprehensive peace agreement between the parties, which were urged to maintain the momentum in the implementation of the accord.